Russia has emphasized the role of nuclear weapons as the sole barrier preventing a significant global conflict, amid escalating concerns about international arms control. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed that the global security framework is deteriorating following the expiration of the New START treaty with the United States. This agreement, which concluded in February, had served to limit the number of deployed nuclear warheads possessed by both nations.
Peskov cautioned that the absence of nuclear deterrence could heighten the potential for broader conflict. He also pointed out the possibility that future advancements in non-nuclear technologies might become as destructive as nuclear weapons. The dissolution of New START has sparked fears of a new arms race among leading world powers. Initially signed in 2010, the treaty capped the nuclear arsenals of Russia and the U.S. at 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each, marking it as the last significant bilateral agreement of its kind.
Amid this backdrop, U.S. President Donald Trump has advocated for a fresh arms control pact that would incorporate China, whose nuclear capabilities are on the rise. However, China has dismissed any invitations to enter such negotiations. Meanwhile, Moscow has insisted that any forthcoming agreement should also involve U.S. allies, including the United Kingdom and France.
The situation highlights a growing unease over the future of global arms regulation, as the absence of robust treaties raises the specter of unchecked nuclear proliferation. Peskov’s remarks underscore the critical role that nuclear weapons continue to play in maintaining international stability, even as the geopolitical landscape evolves and new technological threats emerge.